November 2004
Is an estate car big enough for a family of 5?
I have an MPV at the moment with a smallish boot. This means (when the family of 5 go on holiday) the cabin area gets filled up with bits an pieces. Each of us however does get a good seat.
I would prefer an estate and am looking at the new Accord diesel.
Is it big enough for 3 kids in the back? Read more
I've seen a 2002 52 Mondeo TDCi 130 auto Ghia X estate, with 14k miles, and was wondering if this would make a good purchase bearing in mind that this would be one of the first TDCi's and the long history of problems with this engine. Also, how well does it work with the auto box, and are there any problems there? The car is up at £12995, and I would be looking to keep the car for a considerable length of time.
This car has 17" alloys, so I am a bit concerned with the speed of tyre wear - how long typically are we looking at?
I currently have an old shape mondeo ghia, and think that the build quality is not that great, Are the new mondeos considerably better?
many thanks in advance Read more
No, the original Conti SP II's lasted 25k front and rear, the 2nd and 3rd sets which were SP's (not II's) both lasted nearer 30k though I could have got another 3-5k out of the rears but decided to change all four tyres together. The rears seem to wear slightly more towards the outside edge, perhaps because the car is set up to be quite responsive. Could be that the estate is easier on the rears (unless fully loaded) because it has a different rear setup.
I a nut shell I reckon 30k front/35k rear can be achieved.
Aaah, the long arm of the law has indeed stretched itself, and have come up with a new way of deterring local drink drivers... they take your car!
Criminals and repeat offenders may have their vehicles confiscated in a joint initiative between Arrive Alive and the asset forfeiture unit (AFU).
The organisations said this followed a Western Cape High Court ruling on Thursday that the AFU could take the vehicle of a man charged with three serious offences.
In March and in April, he was found to be allegedly above the legal blood-alcohol limit, and he was caught allegedly travelling 189km an hour, also in April.
Besides having his vehicle confiscated, the man will also appear in court to respond to charges related to the offences.
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Please can anyone advise. My daughter has a Golf TDI still under warranty. Two months ago the interior light, electric windows failed. She rang up main agents to book car in it also was letting water in on drivers and passenger front windows when rain was heavy. Just before it was due to go in she returned home from shopping got out of car luckily she took her 9 month old son out as well. As she put key in the house the car alarm went off she turned round and the interior of car was full of smoke and flames coming from fuse box. To cut along story short Volkswagon have replaced wiring loom and dash, cleaned car and told her although they do not know what caused it they expect her to have it back. It still smells of smoke and she and her son have severe asthma. She is unhappy at having it back because they cannot guarantee it wont happen again, but the main agents Volkswagon UK at Milton Keynes are refusing to do anything else. What else can she do and has anyone else had a problem like this. By the way they have also said they cannot find any leaks and yet my daughters has told them that both sides do let water in.
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Failing the above, I would suggest an e mail to Honest John for his motoring column in the Daily Telegraph, and a letter to the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders IIRC).
It seem that they are telling you that the car cannot be considered safe, but it is no longer their problem.
Hugo
Anyone used or heard any feedback on uknewcars.co.uk as they appear to have very competitiive prices? Read more
Don't know about this outlet but a friend acquired a VW recently - done via telephone as he doesn't have a computer - from new-car-discount.com (see ad on right).
Everything went very smoothly and he got his brand new car little more than a week later, saving more than £3,000 on the list price.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
I've taken apart the calipers on my trusty MK2 Golf, they weren't leaking or anything, only a bit corroded on the surface. I gave them a clean on the outside and a nice coat of paint. The bores are fine. Now I discover from my motor factor that they aren't allowed to sell caliper repair kits anymore, only rebuilt or new calipers. Now I'm faced with either buying new calipers or sticking the old seals back in.
Is he telling me the truth and this is the way things are going, no one can be trusted to change a seal or is it a method to sell more calipers? I just don't understand it. Can anyone explain?
Canuck Read more
And in the end..... I got them just like you said.
The VW parts department in Falkirk had the kits, no fuss, no bother. However, if I add up the cost of the new seals, slidy bits, bleed screw and a bit of sexy caliper paint, I find I could have bought remanufactured ones. So it was stupid financially, but I rebuilt them anyhow. Must be because I'm an engineer, not an accountant. I'll learn someday.
Canuck
I've just bought a 1997 Astra 1.6 CDi Auto. Never had a Vauxhall before. Seems a great car solid car, much better than the Escort I just sold. The only thing is the temp gauge often rises to the three-quarter mark. Doesn't actually go into the red, but sometimes gets alarmingly close, then drops back. Anybody know if this is normal for an Astra, or should I get it checked out? Thanks
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This Cavalier link may reassure you: www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=26168&...e
Hi does anybody know where i can get a workshop manual for the above van,or for the engine it`s a 1.7 diesel k reg i tried with no luck fiat don`t do one, what i need is the torque settings for the head bolts and the cam bearing caps, can anbody help.also the fan belt keeps loosening an sequels this is i think which caused my timming belt to snap the fan belt somehow managed to wrap itself on to the timming belt and both are wraped around the fly wheel,i can not move the fly wheel i hope it has not done futher damage ps. i had to change all of the valves as they where all bent. Read more
Yes crinkly-dave it is the 1698cc i have so far found out the torque settings for the head is 50/100 90dec and 90dec if your`s say`s the same i would imagine the bearing caps should match these settings in your manual,could you cheak for me if you don`t mind,
just been out in my my ford mondeo and noticed when driving down the road seem to be getting a slight flickiring from the front hed lights had a new alternator about 6 months ago but have never replaced the batery wondering if any one had any ideas
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Have a fiddle around with the hi lo beam stalk while the lights are on, might be a worn switch?.
Lee
Car in question is a 1998 1.1 Saxo with single point Bosch injection. When ticking over it revs very low despite the stepper plunger moving. If cold I have to touch the throttle to stop it stalling. At random when driving the speed will suddenly decrease by about 15miles an hour then return back to previous speed in a pulsing fashion. I have changed ,plugs,leads,lambda probe,fuelfilter,coil, temp sensor (to ecu), exhaust and cat were change about 2 months ago. I drained out some petrol for a contamination check. All contacts have been cleaned. All pipes checked for leaks. When I took the plugs out they were sooty. I wonder now if fuel delivery pressure is ok but not really sure if i can check this very accurately. Help !!!!!!! Read more
Stepper motor replaced . Fault has not reappeared in 100miles. £128 + VAT trade at main dealer. £120 + atEuro car parts. £65 + Vat at GSF Car parts genuine Bosch part. I have no connection With any of these, but I feel GSF deserve a mention. I am still mystified as to how a stepper motor (high resistance) can cause a problem when the throttle is off the stop (assume plunger parked in wrong position must tell ECU that the mixture needs adjusting?). THE END
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Have had an Accord Tourer for 8 months now, back may be tight for three young adults on a long trip but for younger children would be fine.
Benefit of the estate over the mpv is economy and am getting over 50mpg from the diesel. If I needed something bigger once a year I would consider hiring one.